Snakes displaying red coloration often capture attention due to their striking appearance. This vibrant hue can be both beautiful and a cause for concern, prompting curiosity about whether such snakes are harmless or pose a threat. Understanding the various types of red snakes and the reasons behind their coloration is important for navigating encounters with these reptiles.
Why Some Snakes Are Red
Red coloration in snakes serves several biological purposes. Aposematism, where bright colors act as a warning signal to deter predators, indicating that the snake is venomous or unpleasant to eat, is one reason. Coral snakes, for instance, utilize their vivid red, yellow, and black patterns as a clear signal of their potent venom. Conversely, some non-venomous snakes exhibit similar red patterns, a phenomenon called Batesian mimicry. This allows harmless species to gain protection by looking like dangerous ones. Red coloring can also provide camouflage, allowing snakes to blend into their environment, such as reddish soil or leaf litter.
Common Red Snake Species
Many non-venomous snake species exhibit significant red coloration.
The Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus), also known as the Red Rat Snake, typically has an orange or brownish-yellow body with large red-orange blotches outlined in black. These snakes are common in the southeastern United States, inhabiting overgrown fields, forests, and abandoned buildings.
Another species, the Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea), is a slender, small snake, usually 14 to 20 inches long. It displays alternating red, black, and white or yellow bands, with a pointed red snout. Scarlet snakes are adept burrowers and are often found in sandy soils within pine and oak forests across the southeastern U.S.
Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are also frequently red, featuring bands of red, black, and yellow or white. They are generally non-venomous constrictors. Milk snakes are widely distributed from Canada to Ecuador and can be found in diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, and around barns where they hunt rodents.
The Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) is a small, non-venomous snake, typically 8 to 16 inches long, characterized by a bright red to orange belly. Its back is often brown with faint stripes. These snakes prefer moist woodlands, fields, and gardens, often hiding under logs and rocks.
Telling Apart Venomous and Non-Venomous Red Snakes
Distinguishing between venomous and non-venomous red snakes is crucial for safety, particularly with the Coral Snake and its non-venomous mimics like the Milk Snake and Scarlet Snake. In North America, a common rhyme helps differentiate them: “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, venom lack.”
Coral snakes typically have red bands directly touching yellow bands and often possess a black snout. Their venom is highly potent. In contrast, non-venomous Milk Snakes and Scarlet Snakes have red bands touching black bands. While this rhyme is widely used for North American species, it does not apply to all coral snake species globally or to all mimicry patterns.
Where Red Snakes Live and How They Behave
Red snakes inhabit a variety of environments. Many species, such as Corn Snakes and Milk Snakes, are found in forested areas, grasslands, and agricultural lands, often seeking shelter in rock crevices or logs. Scarlet Snakes, being burrowers, prefer sandy soils. Red-bellied Snakes are common in moist woodlands and fields.
Their behavior varies, but many red snakes are nocturnal. Their diets typically include rodents, other snakes, lizards, and reptile eggs. When threatened, non-venomous red snakes may employ defensive behaviors such as vibrating their tails to mimic rattlesnakes, releasing musk, or attempting to strike. However, many are generally docile and unlikely to bite unless provoked.
What To Do If You See a Red Snake
Encountering any snake requires caution. Maintain a safe distance and avoid attempting to handle or provoke it. Snakes typically only bite when they feel threatened.
If a red snake is found in a yard or home, contact local animal control services or a professional snake removal specialist. These experts can safely identify the snake and relocate it if necessary. Avoid killing snakes, as most are non-venomous and play an important role in controlling rodent populations.